Don’t Leave Money on the Table: Make Grieving Your Commercial Property Tax a New Year’s Resolution
As the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, many of us set resolutions for the year ahead—get healthier, save money, or spend more time with loved ones. But if you’re a commercial property owner in New York State, there’s one resolution that could have a huge impact on your bottom line: grieving your property taxes. Think of it as a way to start the year with more money in your proverbial pocket and, if your challenge is successful, less stress on your business’s finances.
Here are the top five reasons to challenge your commercial property taxes in 2025:
- You Only Have One Chance Per Year
Imagine leaving thousands of dollars on the table simply because you missed a deadline. Each tax year offers only one chance to file a grievance, and if you miss it, the opportunity is gone for good. Filing annually ensures that if a reduction is granted, you’ll benefit from lower taxes, and if your challenge is resolved after you’ve already paid the taxes, you could receive a refund. The good news: partnering with Realty Tax Challenge “RTC” means never having to worry about missing another deadline—we’ve got you covered. - Assessments Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Municipal assessors rely on limited information and broad market trends, often missing critical details unique to your property. For example, your HVAC system might be nearing the end of its lifespan, or nearby construction could be impacting traffic to your location —both valid arguments for reducing your assessment. As the property owner, you know these details better than anyone. When you partner with RTC, we ask the right questions and gather the necessary information to build a strong case for a reduction. Our experts in real property valuation can identify discrepancies that may legally entitle you to a reduction, and our team works to present the most compelling arguments to secure a reduction to your assessment.
- Market Changes Could Mean You’re Overpaying
The real estate market is anything but static. In recent years, significant changes—such as the rise of work-from-home and hybrid arrangements—have led to steep declines in value for some sectors, including retail and office. If your assessment doesn’t account for these market trends and property-specific changes, you’re likely paying taxes based on an outdated and inflated valuation. This could result in overpayments of thousands of dollars—or even more, depending on the size of your tax bill. Filing a tax grievance serves as a reality check, aligning your assessment with the current market and potentially leading to significant savings or even a refund. (Note that some appeals take longer to resolve and may require the payment of taxes at the current amount while the appeal is pending.)
- There Are No Risks, Only Rewards
What’s the catch? There isn’t one. In New York State, filing a tax grievance cannot result in an increased assessment. The worst-case scenario: your assessment remains unchanged. The best-case? Your property taxes are reduced, and you might receive a refund for overpaid taxes from previous years. And since Realty Tax Challenge operates on a no-reduction, no-fee basis, we only get paid if we are successful in reducing your assessment. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by engaging our team in this process. - Your Legal Right to Grieve
Let’s clear up a common misconception: grieving your taxes is not shirking your responsibility as a member of the community—it’s your legal right to ensure you’re paying the correct amount. Filing annually ensures you pay your fair share—no more, no less. Your competitors are likely doing the same, and by failing to file, you risk shouldering an outsized portion of the tax burden. When others successfully challenge their assessments and you don’t, their reductions can shift a greater share of the tax responsibility onto your property.
Take Action This Year
The 2025-26 grievance filing period is just around the corner, which makes now the perfect time to seek guidance and prepare to file. At RTC, we specialize in helping NY commercial property owners save on their property taxes. Let us take the stress out of the process by handling the paperwork, deadlines, and details, so you can focus on what you do best: running your business.
Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you ensure your property taxes are fair and accurate for 2025 and beyond.
